Boxing

In 2012, former NRL player and professional boxer Joe Williams found himself sitting in a Dubbo psychiatric unit, having just attempted suicide. He now works to help others struggling with mental health issues.

A Kenyan acrobat who moved to the Barossa Valley where he took up boxing is being touted as the next big thing, having won all four of his fights by knockout and impressed three-time world champion Jeff Fenech.

Australia's best featherweight boxer Nathaniel 'Cheeky' May is eyeing a world title fight next year — and his cancer-stricken trainer Peter Stokes hopes he will live long enough to see his young prodigy reach the top.

Jeff Horn could be forgiven for casting his thoughts forward to a potential fight with Terence Crawford in Las Vegas, but Brisbane's boxing champ says he is looking forward to a family Christmas first.

A brilliant year for women's football in Australia is capped by a triple triumph, with Sam Kerr winning ABC Sports Personality of the Year, the Matildas taking out Team of the Year and coach Alen Stajcic also honoured at the AIS awards.